Vegetable Gardening The Organic Way

Because it is cost effective and they are able to produce almost the same yield of crops, more farmers are getting into organic vegetable gardening. You must first understand the organic vegetable gardening principles before you can do this in your own garden. It is forbidden to use fertilizers, nutrients or pesticides in organic vegetable gardening. Nature is your partner here because you will be using two things to make it all work namely sunlight and water. The ideal area and adequate drainage must be provided since we don't produce these ourselves.

Using compost heap from leftover food, chipped bark, garden compost, leaf moulds and manure which you can mix together and then spread throughout your garden can encourage the crops to grow, aside from sunlight and water. Manure is sold in stores so you don't have to scoop this from the toilet so don't feel queasy, also chickens are great to have - just let them roam around in the garden. Dead animals or meat products are used by some people but you can't put these in the soil. To help fertilize your garden, leave them for a couple of weeks in the bin and maggots will soon appear which can be used.

Bringing various minerals to the surface and providing better drainage as it digs deep into the ground and aerates the soil, is what makes the earthworm is another helpful creature. Experts say that the casting this long pink colored creature leaves behind is five times as rich in nitrogen phosphorous and potassium. You will be able to buy this from almost any gardening store or garden center.

Organic gardening is a challenge because pests such as army worms, crickets, gypsy moth caterpillars, slugs and squash bugs are unwanted guests. Despite the fact that at one time people used fertilizer to kill them, the toad, which is known to eat more almost every type of insect it is the best weapon in an organic setting. It is not in the toad's diet if you have caterpillars or spiders lurking in the garden so get a bird.

As long as you set the ideal environment for them, you don't have to buy a toad or a bird from the pet store because they may come in to your home. Erecting a bird house or a small pond means you will have some new occupants protecting your garden within days. The job could be done by insect killers such as the preying mantis and the ladybug as they mark their territory and eat anything that dares enter their domain.

Rosemary, sage or thyme can be used to protect your vegetables against butterflies and marigolds protect vegetables against nematodes. But, despite all the flowers and creatures that nature has to offer, crop rotation is seen as the best way to keep the soil fertile. Alternate between the kind of vegetable planted for this season and another then return to the first after this one is harvested. with some practice you can harvest the vegetables you have planted weeks ago.